Idea To Reflect On

Personal Projects

What Does It Take To Solve A Difficult Problem?

by Pippin Lowe

Most people can count on one hand the number of weeks in their life where
everything was perfect. No aches and pains, no contention in their personal
relationships and their pockets were filled with all the money desired.
For many this is the sort of science fiction that only seems to occupy
the hereafter.

Three Methods Of Coping

The burden of a problem manifests within each person in individualistic
ways. There are three basic avenues of dealing with problems. Some turn
the trouble inward where depression can grip the person, which often results
in an inability to act. Others turn the frustrations of a difficult situation
into anger with its worst manifestation being violence. The third is a
technique where one analyzes the problem, creates a plan of action, then
follows through to resolve the trouble. It is this third method which
is geared toward constructively solving the problem that is the most work
and seems to be least natural. For it must be learned.

Analyzing The Problem

There are several valid methods for solving or finding new insights into
difficult situations. Just a few of these are brainstorming; dividing
the issue into its basic components, then acting to resolve each section
of difficulty; or using the solution someone else created for a similar
situation. The one thing almost every analytical approach uses is the
technique of first clarifying the issue by collecting information about
what caused the problem, then creating a list of possible solutions with
details about the obstacles that need to be overcome.

Part of the work of deciding which possible solution is best for an problem
is to first figure out your goals for securing a resolution. What will constitute a
successful conclusion to the problem? Are there sections of the problem that
may be best left unresolved? What resources, both financial and human, will be needed?

Tweaking The Plan

Once the basic questions to the issue have been answered, and the best
proposal is decided upon, the plan to instigate the proposal can be created.
The plan must be detailed enough to keep you moving toward your objective,
but not so narrowly focused that any deviation from the path results in
the stagnation of progress. Flexibility within the plan is a requirement
for achievement. Every plan of action will encounter unforeseen stumbling
blocks. Therefore the ability to be able to tweak the strategy is crucial
for accomplishing the plan’s purpose.

In order to make any corrections that are needed you will have to set
up a method of checks and balances. This will ensure that the wrong course
of action will only be followed for the least amount of time. For example,
if you know you can only afford to spend a dollar in advertising for every
ten dollars in revenue, you will need to track which ads are bringing
in the most customers and how much each person spends.

Staying Motivated

One of the long-term concerns about resolving a troubling situation is the issue of
staying motivated when the problem is not receiving the results desired as quickly as
anticipated. The essence of what is considered to be a “difficult problem” is that it has
elements of being overwhelming. When this fact is coupled with a decreased progress
toward resolution, a dread for continuing the current action can soon engulf the participants.
Setting up a reward system for each achieved step is the easiest method for overcoming
a declining excitement. Altering a plan gone awry is another method of boosting the energy
necessary for action.

Keep In Mind

Each type of problem requires a unique method for resolution. Health problems may
demand that the individual’s physical strength be taken into consideration. Issues concerning
other people often require that the needs of each person be incorporated into the creation
of the solution. Work issues may best be resolved by using outside consultants or a
brainstorming tool to bring forth new ideas.

Basically problems are like mysteries with twists and unseen elements. Solutions are like
inventions, with each having unique designs and components of movement which produces
a useful action. The solution to a problem is the promise of lifting the burden so that for an
instant a state of perfection is achieved.